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Correct surface for pigments - Errrr???
Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2016 10:11 am
by Stokesy44
Greetings All
I'm new to the use of pigments. Can I ask a quick question? When using pigments for dusting and discoloration (not wet for mud), is it best to be working on a gloss or matt surface?
I've just done the chipping, my intention is to carry out the following processes to completion. Glossing, decals, glossing, dot filters, Dark Dirt Wash, glossing then pigments.
Thanks in advance as always

Re: Correct surface for pigments - Errrr???
Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2016 1:22 pm
by schweinhund227
a Mate coat ? would cause the pigments to stay directly where you set them and could be hard to manipulate on a flat surface.
a Shinny coat ? could cause to have the pigments not stick much to the surface and you would be harder to get them to stay where you want them especially on a vertical or angled surfaces...
so... maybe a good start for you would be "Semi Gloss".
I tend to keep mine shinny thou...(personal preference) and after an Enamel filter or dot filter... The surfaces are already somewhat "semi gloss" enough to grab on the pigments.....
If I need them to stick more and build up layers ? I add a little Thinner to wet the area.... sprinkle what I need; where I need and.... after its completely dried; I use a short hair stiff brush and wipe the excess off ! till I am satisfied.... If not ? I just add more odourless thinner and tweak the area .... and move on... The thinner helps the pigment to stick on the surface until you are ready to fix them with pigment fixer.
oh please test your thinner and pigments... "OFF" the model first to find out if they React to one another...??? Before you apply them to your Model... as ... if you get a bad reaction you know you will have to find a different thinner to get them to stick to your model ??? sometimes there is no safe return ! Better safe than sorry !!!
Best of luck.
Re: Correct surface for pigments - Errrr???
Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2016 2:36 pm
by Stokesy44
schweinhund227 wrote:a Mate coat ? would cause the pigments to stay directly where you set them and could be hard to manipulate on a flat surface.
a Shinny coat ? could cause to have the pigments not stick much to the surface and you would be harder to get them to stay where you want them especially on a vertical or angled surfaces...
so... maybe a good start for you would be "Semi Gloss".
I tend to keep mine shinny thou...(personal preference) and after an Enamel filter or dot filter... The surfaces are already somewhat "semi gloss" enough to grab on the pigments.....
If I need them to stick more and build up layers ? I add a little Thinner to wet the area.... sprinkle what I need; where I need and.... after its completely dried; I use a short hair stiff brush and wipe the excess off ! till I am satisfied.... If not ? I just add more odourless thinner and tweak the area .... and move on... The thinner helps the pigment to stick on the surface until you are ready to fix them with pigment fixer.
oh please test your thinner and pigments... "OFF" the model first to find out if they React to one another...??? Before you apply them to your Model... as ... if you get a bad reaction you know you will have to find a different thinner to get them to stick to your model ??? sometimes there is no safe return ! Better safe than sorry !!!
Best of luck.
Thanks mate. I really appreciate the detailed response.

Re: Correct surface for pigments - Errrr???
Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2016 3:36 pm
by schweinhund227
Stokesy44 wrote:schweinhund227 wrote:a Mate coat ? would cause the pigments to stay directly where you set them and could be hard to manipulate on a flat surface.
a Shinny coat ? could cause to have the pigments not stick much to the surface and you would be harder to get them to stay where you want them especially on a vertical or angled surfaces...
so... maybe a good start for you would be "Semi Gloss".
I tend to keep mine shinny thou...(personal preference) and after an Enamel filter or dot filter... The surfaces are already somewhat "semi gloss" enough to grab on the pigments.....
If I need them to stick more and build up layers ? I add a little Thinner to wet the area.... sprinkle what I need; where I need and.... after its completely dried; I use a short hair stiff brush and wipe the excess off ! till I am satisfied.... If not ? I just add more odourless thinner and tweak the area .... and move on... The thinner helps the pigment to stick on the surface until you are ready to fix them with pigment fixer.
oh please test your thinner and pigments... "OFF" the model first to find out if they React to one another...??? Before you apply them to your Model... as ... if you get a bad reaction you know you will have to find a different thinner to get them to stick to your model ??? sometimes there is no safe return ! Better safe than sorry !!!
Best of luck.
Thanks mate. I really appreciate the detailed response.

what I meant as a "Reaction"... between the thinners and pigments is... once dried...
a Bad reaction would turn the mixture "White" it happens when the two mediums are incompatible....
That has been my experience thus far... and on occasion... do the mistake... so ! just fair warning... !
Test off model first and if you like the effect ? carry experiment over your model !